{"id":581531,"date":"2026-04-04T10:36:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T10:36:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/581531\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T10:36:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T10:36:13","slug":"nba-news-live-updates-luka-doncic-to-miss-rest-of-regular-season-with-hamstring-injury-steph-curry-expected-to-return-sunday-anthony-edwards-ineligible-for-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/581531\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA news, live updates: Luka Don\u010di\u0107 to miss rest of regular season with hamstring injury; Steph Curry expected to return Sunday; Anthony Edwards ineligible for awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

With just over two weeks remaining in the regular season, the NBA playoff picture<\/a> is beginning to take shape.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, several of the league\u2019s biggest stars continue building their cases for postseason awards<\/a>. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the heavy favorite to repeat, with Victor Wembanyama also in the conversation.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

Gilgeous-Alexander has strengthened his case with another dominant season, joining Luka Don\u010di\u0107 as the only players averaging more than 30 points per game while leading the league with 14.2 win shares and a +10.7 plus-minus.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, injuries and the 65-game rule have reshaped the awards race. Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, 41-year-old LeBron James and young star Anthony Edwards are all ineligible for postseason awards<\/a> under the NBA\u2019s 65-game requirement, while three-time MVP Nikola Joki\u0107 can miss just one more game before falling below the threshold.<\/p>\n

Don\u010di\u0107 will also likely face a similar fate after suffering a hamstring injury on Thursday night<\/a>. He\u2019s set to miss the remainder of the regular season<\/a>, though he could file an extraordinary circumstances grievance<\/a> for his two games missed for the birth of his child back in December to maintain eligibility, ESPN\u2019s Tim Bontemps reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest news, scores and key storylines shaping the NBA playoff picture<\/a>. We\u2019re also tracking who\u2019s headed for the draft lottery.<\/a><\/p>\n

Live41 updates\"BenFri, April 3, 2026 at 3:29 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Ben Fawkes<\/p>\n

\"KateFri, April 3, 2026 at 3:25 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Kate Magdziuk<\/p>\n

Lakers star Luka Don\u010di\u0107 isn\u2019t currently eligible for postseason awards after falling short of the league\u2019s 65-game. He does, however, still technically have a path toward qualifying, as ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania reported Friday that Don\u010di\u0107 and his agent intend to apply for an \u201cExtraordinary Circumstances Challenge\u201d to essentially excuse his two-game absence due to the birth of his daughter in Slovenia back in December.<\/p>\n

The full statement from Don\u010di\u0107\u2019s agent, Bill Duffy, reads as follows, as shared by Charania.<\/p>\n

“This season, Luka Don\u010di\u0107 has performed at a historic level, leading the league in scoring, carrying the Lakers to third place in the Western Conference and placing himself in the middle of one of the most tightly contested MVP races in memory. To ensure that Luka\u2019s incredible accomplishments this season are rightly honored and he can be considered for the league\u2019s end-of-season awards, we intend to apply for an \u201cExtraordinary Circumstances Challenge\u201d to the 65-game rule.<\/p>\n

Luka missed two games this season for the birth of his second child in Slovenia. His daughter was born on Dec. 4 on another continent, and yet he was back in the United States competing with his team on Dec. 6. Luka has gone to great lengths to show up for his team and this league this season. His record-breaking season deserves to be noted in the history books, despite last night\u2019s unfortunate injury and other extraordinary circumstances. We look forward to working with the NBAPA and the league office to ensure a fair outcome in this matter.”<\/p>\n

\"ChrisFri, April 3, 2026 at 3:10 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Chris Cwik<\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered both insult and injury Thursday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. During the team\u2019s blowout loss<\/a>, star guard Luka Don\u010di\u0107 was forced to leave the game due to a left hamstring injury.<\/a><\/p>\n

Don\u010di\u0107 underwent an MRI on Friday, resulting in the Lakers ruling him out indefinitely, according to ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania<\/a>. At the very least, he will miss the remainder of the regular season.<\/p>\n

The injury occurred with a little over seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. Don\u010di\u0107 pulled up near the free-throw line after being double-teamed and grabbed at his left hamstring. He laid on the court for a while before eventually leaving the contest.<\/p>\n

After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick revealed Don\u010di\u0107 actually tweaked his hamstring in the first quarter, but was cleared to play in the second half.<\/a> Don\u010di\u0107 missed four games earlier in the season due to a left hamstring injury.<\/p>\n

The injury comes at an awful time for the Lakers, as the team has just five games left in the regular season. Following Thursday\u2019s loss, the Lakers sit at 50-27, good for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"JackFri, April 3, 2026 at 2:39 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jack Baer<\/p>\n

Anthony Edwards is questionable for Friday\u2019s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to the Minnesota Timberwolves\u2019 injury report. He\u2019s already awards ineligible after missing his 17th game Thursday (and failing to reach 15 minutes in another game)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"DanFri, April 3, 2026 at 1:42 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Dan Devine<\/p>\n

After more than two months out of action, Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry \u201cis expected to be cleared to return\u201d to the floor for Sunday\u2019s matchup with former teammate Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, according to Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of ESPN<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Curry hasn\u2019t played since January 30<\/a>, sidelined by lingering pain and swelling in his right knee<\/a> that has cost him the last 27 games. Sam Amick and Nick Friedell of The Athletic reported Tuesday<\/a> that Curry was targeting a weekend return, after going through his first full practice in months.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe went through a full practice, but it was very light,\u201d Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters<\/a>. \u201cWe didn\u2019t do anything live. He\u2019s gonna scrimmage right now five-on-five. It\u2019s a good step for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Curry taking more steps as the week wore on, he and the Warriors are now reportedly poised to end an absence that, combined with the loss of All-Star forward Jimmy Butler to a torn right ACL<\/a> in late January, sent Golden State plummeting down the standings.<\/p>\n

Read more.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"IanFri, April 3, 2026 at 12:17 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

Denver Nuggets Peyton Watson has a right hamstring injury that will put him on week-to-week status, head coach David Adelman told reporters on Friday.<\/p>\n

Watson, 23, left Wednesday\u2019s game versus the Utah Jazz in the first half and did not return.<\/p>\n

This season, Watson is averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 54 games. He\u2019s also shooting 41% on 197 3-point attempts.<\/p>\n

\"KateFri, April 3, 2026 at 10:47 AM PDT<\/p>\n

Kate Magdziuk<\/p>\n

\"JackThu, April 2, 2026 at 9:47 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jack Baer<\/p>\n

The Lakers\u2019 very bad night saw them lose 139-96 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. They are also holding their breath Don\u010di\u0107, who left the game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n

Don\u010di\u0107 will undergo an MRI on Friday. If he cannot return by the end of the regular season on April 12, he will be ineligible for any postseason awards.<\/p>\n

\"JackThu, April 2, 2026 at 3:20 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jack Baer<\/p>\n

Anthony Edwards has been ruled out for Thursday\u2019s game with right knee pain and an illness<\/a>. That will be his 17th absence of the season, leaving him ineligible for the NBA\u2019s postseason awards.<\/p>\n

\"JackThu, April 2, 2026 at 2:20 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jack Baer<\/p>\n

The Spurs have officially ruled out their MVP candidate for Thursday\u2019s game against the Clippers<\/a>, which is the second leg of a back-to-back after Wednesday\u2019s lopsided win over the Warriors. He\u2019s resting his a sore ankle.<\/p>\n

Where it gets interesting is that Wemby is at 61 games played with five games left on the Spurs schedule after Thursday. With his appearance in the NBA Cup final counting for that total, he needs to play in at least three of those five games to be awards eligible.<\/p>\n

\"KariThu, April 2, 2026 at 10:11 AM PDT<\/p>\n

Kari Anderson<\/p>\n

The Wizards announced Thursday that Kyshawn George is out for the rest of the year with a ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tear after being re-evaluated yesterday. George suffered the grade 2 UCL tear in his left elbow earlier this month.<\/p>\n

Per the team, he is \u201cexpected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2026-27 season.\u201d<\/p>\n

George ends the season having played 48 games for the Wizards, averaging 29 minutes and 14.8 points per game.<\/p>\n

\"KateWed, April 1, 2026 at 2:41 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Kate Magdziuk<\/p>\n

The Orlando Magic have cleared forward Franz Wagner to return to action on Wednesday night, having missed 22 games with an ankle injury, the team announced.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s expected to play on a minutes restriction per Magic beat reporter Jason Beede.<\/p>\n

Wagner has been out since before the All-Star break. After having originally suffered the injury back in December<\/a>, he played four games dealing with the injury, but was sat indefinitely in February<\/a> to continue rehabbing.<\/p>\n

Wagner is averaging 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game this season.<\/p>\n

Wed, April 1, 2026 at 2:25 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports Staff<\/p>\n

\"TarohnWed, April 1, 2026 at 1:09 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Tarohn Finley<\/p>\n

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry is close to making his return. Curry’s goal is to reportedly play against the Houston Rockets<\/a> on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.<\/p>\n

The 38-year-old point guard last played on Jan. 30 against the Detroit Pistons after suffering a knee injury<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"ChrisWed, April 1, 2026 at 1:07 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Chris Cwik<\/p>\n

With a few hours to go before his team is set to take on the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, Joel Embiid\u2019s playing status is unclear<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Philadelphia 76ers originally announced Embiid would miss the contest due to an illness, but the center posted on social media that his injury designation must have been an \u201cApril Fools joke.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his tweet, Embiid mentioned he played against the Miami Heat on Monday despite the same symptoms.<\/p>\n

As of the 4 p.m. injury report<\/a>, Embiid is still listed as \u201cout.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AndyTue, March 31, 2026 at 6:57 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Andy Backstrom<\/p>\n

The Phoenix Suns fell to the Orlando Magic 115-111 on Tuesday night. As soon as that game went final, a pair of Western Conference squads punched their tickets to the postseason.<\/p>\n

With the Suns\u2019 loss, the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets both clinched playoff spots. The Lakers also claimed the Pacific Division crown.<\/p>\n

\"JackTue, March 31, 2026 at 3:23 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jack Baer<\/p>\n

Anthony Davis is progressing as expected from a hand injury and has been cleared for light contact, the Wizards announced Tuesday.<\/p>\n

However, with only seven games remaining on the Wizards\u2019 schedule and the team one of many tanking at this point of the season, you have to wonder how much they try actually getting him on the court.<\/p>\n

\"JasonMon, March 30, 2026 at 6:53 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Jason Owens<\/p>\n

The New York Knicks didn\u2019t play Monday night. But they clinched their spot in the postseason.<\/p>\n

With the 76ers\u2019 119-109 loss to the Heat<\/a> Monday night, the Knicks are guaranteed to finish in no worse than sixth place in the Eastern Conference and have earned a guaranteed playoff spot.<\/p>\n

But the Knicks are setting their sights higher than sixth place. At 48-27 as of Monday night, the Knicks stood firmly in third place in the East, two games ahead of the fourth-place Cavaliers and four games ahead of the fifth-place Raptors.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re in strong position to lock up home-court advantage in the first round. But a potential second-round matchup against a Celtics team with home-court advantage awaits. The 50-24 Celtics leave a 112-102 loss to the Hawks Monday with a 2.5 game edge over the Knicks for second place with eight games remaining on their schedule.<\/p>\n

\"IanMon, March 30, 2026 at 12:09 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Ian Casselberry<\/p>\n

The Minnesota Timberwolves could be without one of their key players for the rest of the regular season as they battle for playoff positioning<\/a> in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n

Jaden McDaniels is listed as week-to-week with patellar tendinitis and a bone bruise in his left knee, the team announced<\/a> on Monday.<\/p>\n

However, Minnesota could get Anthony Edwards back for Monday\u2019s matchup with the Dallas Mavericks. He was upgraded to questionable on the injury report after missing the past six games with a right knee injury.<\/p>\n

Read more from Yahoo Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sun, March 29, 2026 at 9:36 PM PDT<\/p>\n

Yahoo Sports Staff<\/p>\n

The Boston Celtics officially secured their spot in the playoffs with Sunday\u2019s 114-99 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.<\/p>\n

Jayson Tatum had his best game since returning from his Achilles tear with 32 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds. Jaylen Brown missed the game with left Achilles tendinitis.<\/p>\n

Boston is now guaranteed to have no worse than the Eastern Conference\u2019s No. 4 seed when the playoffs begin.<\/p>\n

For more about the NBA\u2019s postseason picture, read here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"With just over two weeks remaining in the regular season, the NBA playoff picture is beginning to take…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":581532,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[434],"tags":[36999,49,48,220544,8228,32411,2327,12887,459,5725,218488,64354,6691,82,21217],"class_list":{"0":"post-581531","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba","8":"tag-anthony-edwards","9":"tag-ca","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-dominant-season","12":"tag-giannis-antetokounmpo","13":"tag-gilgeous-alexander","14":"tag-lebron-james","15":"tag-luka-doncic","16":"tag-nba","17":"tag-nikola-jokic","18":"tag-postseason-awards","19":"tag-regular-season","20":"tag-shai-gilgeous-alexander","21":"tag-sports","22":"tag-victor-wembanyama"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/581531","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=581531"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/581531\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/581532"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=581531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=581531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=581531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}